mist coolant for grinder

J

JMJones

Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
945
Is anyone using mist coolant to for wet grinding. If so how has your experience been, what brands or no-brands are you using, how messy is it?

Thanks
John
 
Using a cool mist type cooler, messy and I have to wear a respirator, the compressor does cycle often, but defiantly worth the trouble, saves a ton of time when grinding hardened blades, you can really lean on the grinder and they don't heat up, and the belts last longer and you get a nicer finish, and I use it on my surface grinder too.

I found if you but your coolant supple above the height of the nozzle you don't use as much air.
 
Anyone have any experience using coolant solution vs just water? If it is going to go everywhere, I am wondering if water would be preferable?
 
Ultimately, what happens is you wet the belt and water stays on the belt via surface tension. How you get the water on the belt isn't that critical. I recommend a fast drip of water on the top after your tracking wheel. No air needed. What's important is mud flaps to catch the spray from the turns and a tray to direct the extra to your bucket rather than your floor and bench. I appreciate that a mist system seems like an elegant solution, but in my experience it doesn't really matter much where or how you put the water on your belt, the end result is pretty much the same.

I used to use a lean water soluble oil, but it goes funky if ran too lean. It makes a mess on you and your space. I now use plain water at a rate of about one gallon per hour. If you're grinding something that rusts easy you can add a sprinkle of borax or baking soda to reduce corrosion.

Belts work best soaking wet or bone dry. Damp belts clog, build up gunk on your grinder, ruin platens and can make some funky grinds if you get buildup
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Ultimately, what happens is you wet the belt and water stays on the belt via surface tension. How you get the water on the belt isn't that critical. I recommend a fast drip of water on the top after your tracking wheel. No air needed. What's important is mud flaps to catch the spray from the turns and a tray to direct the extra to your bucket rather than your floor and bench. I appreciate that a mist system seems like an elegant solution, but in my experience it doesn't really matter much where or how you put the water on your belt, the end result is pretty much the same.

I used to use a lean water soluble oil, but it goes funky if ran too lean. It makes a mess on you and your space. I now use plain water at a rate of about one gallon per hour. If you're grinding something that rusts easy you can add a sprinkle of borax or baking soda to reduce corrosion.

Belts work best soaking wet or bone dry. Damp belts clog, build up gunk on your grinder, ruin platens and can make some funky grinds if you get buildup
Click to expand...

Nathan do you have a picture of your water delivery set up? Thanks.
 
Nathan made a good point here - ".. doesn't really matter much where or how you put the water on your belt, the end result is pretty much the same."
I've tried a saline drip bag and thought about the kool mist.

But after watching how Murray Carter does it, I'm doing the same.
Basically keep it simple, a small gallon water bucket next to your grinder and just hand dump water on the belt, every so often as required.
Yep, it's not very elegant but it doesn't get any simpler and it works the same as Nathan mentioned.

The laminated Hitachi steel I'm grinding calls out for wet grinding so that's what I'm doing.
I've found the water stays on the belt better witha 2 wheel grinder like a Burr King/Hardcore than it does a 3/4 wheel grinder. Not sure why

I think wet grinding is a HUGE timesaver. Any cost associated with it, is worth it for me
I've asked Travis Wuertz to consider making a wet grinder and I see a big opportunity here for someone with some skills and innovation.

regards
 
Does wet grinding work better with certain kinds of belts, or is any kind OK wet?
 
I used to do as HSC and it worked out well enough. Now I use a spray bottle, it's just easier to control and doesn't get too messing, but same idea.
One day I may try a mist system, but it seems too wet to me. I do a lot of pre-HT grinding usually, but some of the projects I have are making that a less attractive option.
 
The thing I like about wet grinding with cool mist (using water) is I can dial how much water or air I need. Its way easy to use to much water. The mess is a trade off also Helps control dust.
 
Straight razor maker Charlie Lewis uses a drip system that looks a lot like an IV setup. Obviously razors are small pieces, but they have to be ground crazy thin with bruin the temper, so if it works for them, it would probably be okay for a knife.
 
2 wheel? Sludge on your pants. 3 wheel? Sludge on your shirt. Even if you are running "backwards" like Mr. Carter does. You've seen the wall behind his big stone wheels. I get sludge from my Nate platen cooler the came all the way around from the bottom on the BACKSIDE of the belt. ;)
HSC /// said:
Nathan made a good point here - ".. doesn't really matter much where or how you put the water on your belt, the end result is pretty much the same."
I've tried a saline drip bag and thought about the kool mist.

But after watching how Murray Carter does it, I'm doing the same.
Basically keep it simple, a small gallon water bucket next to your grinder and just hand dump water on the belt, every so often as required.
Yep, it's not very elegant but it doesn't get any simpler and it works the same as Nathan mentioned.

The laminated Hitachi steel I'm grinding calls out for wet grinding so that's what I'm doing.
I've found the water stays on the belt better witha 2 wheel grinder like a Burr King/Hardcore than it does a 3/4 wheel grinder. Not sure why

I think wet grinding is a HUGE timesaver. Any cost associated with it, is worth it for me
I've asked Travis Wuertz to consider making a wet grinder and I see a big opportunity here for someone with some skills and innovation.

regards
Click to expand...
 
NO. The glue on some belts will break down if you get them wet. Not a pretty sight, I tell you!!! :eek:
Roamad said:
Does wet grinding work better with certain kinds of belts, or is any kind OK wet?
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top